Bridged

Designing a Soft Landing

Sammie (Seungmi) Lee

Bridged is a system of design interventions created to support Asian newcomers navigating major transitions to life in the U.S.—especially those arriving alone. At the center is the Bridged app, which fosters connection through peer-powered communities and personalized roadmaps rooted in lived experience.

Users can join interest- or identity-based Spaces—like “Korean Master’s Students in NYC” or “Product Designers from International Backgrounds”—where they can access real advice, ask questions, and connect with others who’ve been through similar transitions. As they browse peer profiles, they can explore visual Journeys, which track individual goals and monthly milestones—offering newcomers a clear, empathetic view of what lies ahead and how others navigated it.

Two additional interventions extend the emotional impact of Bridged beyond the app. “My Wall of Belonging” is a printable, collage-style poster designed for newcomers to reflect on their goals, memories, and affirmations in a visual, tangible way. The “Unforgettable Moments” public poster invites immigrants to share one-sentence reflections in public space, transforming individual experiences into visible, collective memory.

By turning uncertainty into clarity, isolation into connection, and struggles into shared progress, Bridged ensures immigrants don’t just survive in a new country—they move forward with confidence